Electric switch



March 14, 1933. v G. O. wlLMs 1,901,573

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Nov. 21, 1928 2 sheets-sheet 1 March 14 1933' 2 G.o. wlLMs 1,901,573

v LECTRIC SWITCH l Filed Nov. 21, 1928 v 2 sheets-sheet 2 -closing oftheswitch voltage.

Patented Mar. 14, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT vxorri'icit,

GUs'rAv o. wILus,-o1r MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, 'AssIeNoR, EY MEsNEASSIGNMENTS, 'ro ALLEN-BRADLEY COMPANY, or yilrILwAunrEn, wIscoNsIN, ACORPORATION. or

WISCONSIN' ELECTRIC vswI'rcII Application ma November 21, 192s. serialNo., 320,866.

This invention relates'particularly to an electric switch for connectinga motor or other electrical device with a source of energy andcontemplates as an object the provision of means for increasingthevcapacity of a switch of this type without increasing its size.

Another object of this invention resides in .the provision of meanswhereby a resistance is momentarily interposed between the source ofenergy and the motor orthe like as the switch closes whereby the voltageimposed on the motor or the like at the initial is less than the lineAnother object of this invention resides-in they provision of meanswhereby the switch acts substantially as a circuit breaker whenopened byinserting a resistance in the circuit before it is broken, thus breakingthe are in multiple steps.

A further object of this invention resides in the provision of a pair.ofmovable contacts adapted to be engaged with a pair of cooperatingstationary contacts, one of which engages its contact before the otherto include a resistance i'n series therewith whereby the normal'voltagesurge occurring at the time of closing and opening the switch isthrottled. i'

And a stillurther object of this invention resides in the provision of aswitch of the character described having a pair of movable contacts anda pair of cooperating stationary contacts, the movable contacts beingyieldably mounted in an actuating member whereby one engages. itsstationary contact before the other and by which continued movement ofthe actuating member eii gages the second movable contact with itsstationary contact, both movable contacts being maintained in engagementwith-their stationary contacts under pressure. l

y With the above and other objects in view which will appear as theydescription pro# ceeds,v my invention resides in the novelconstruction, combination and arrangement of partssubstantially ashereinafter described and more particularly defined by the ap- C. pendedclaims, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodimentofthe herein disclosed invention may be -made as A -come'within-thescope ofthe claims.

In the accompany-ing drawings, I have illustrated one complete exampleof the physi' cal embodiment otmy invention constructed according to thebest mode I have so far devised for the practical application of theprinciples thereof, and in which:

` Figure l is a sectional view through a 4switch structure embodying my"invention with. parts in elevation;

' .Figure 2` is a sectional view taken through' .Fi urel lon the planeofthe line 2-4-2;

igure 3 is a diagramaticfview illustrating the parts with one movablecontact engaged withits stationary contact, and

.Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 with both movable contactsengaging their respective stationary. contacts. 3

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings, in whichlike numerals designate like parts throughout Ythe several views, 5represents a base or panell of suitable insulating material uponl whichthe switch structure is mounted and which may also provide a support forother cooperating mechanisms, not shown, as they form no part of thisinvention. 'y

The switch illustrated is of the three pole type and comprises amounting member 6 yformed of insulating material and divided into -threecompartments 7 by partitions 8 and each compartment is divided ,by anirregularly shaped division lwall 9 into an upper recess or chamber 10and a lower recess or chamber 11. Substantially, L-shaped members 12 aresecured in the upper recesses or chambers 10 by screws 13 extendingthrough aligned aperturesin the base 5 and the mounting member 6 to bethreaded in apertures in the members 12, thereby'securing. the mountingmember 6 to the panel 5 and at the same time maintaining themembers 12in position'f/Each memberv 12 has its upper end preferably bent towardythe Apanel 5 and is provided with a terminal 14 with which a lineconductor 15 is`connected. The lower'or short le s 16 of the members 12rest on' the bottom'o their respective re` 100 m strained agalnstmovement about their cap screws 194 by having their lower legs 21 enaligaved with abutments 22y formed in the wa 9.

Screws 23 threaded in the apertures 17 5 connect theadjacent ends ofresistance units 24 with each member 12 'and' consequently with the.line conductors 15,.the -other ends thereof being connectedv withsecond stationary contacts 25 through arms 26V to which they are'secured by screws 27 fEach arm 26. is received in a stepped portion `28formed in the ad'acent contact 25 which may consist of a bloc ofmetalsecured in an opening 29 in the wall by a screw passing throughgned apertures in the wall 9 `and the arm 26 and threaded in the contactblock 25.

A From the description thus far, it is a parent that the contacts 25 and20 are o set with respect to each other with a contact 0- 25 above'andforwardly ofthecontact A20;;

and it is also observed that the division wall outer end which isrotatable in a recess formed in a boss.'36 extended from the mem` ber 33at one end thereof the other end being provided with an inwardlyextended arm 37 which is positioned between ears 0r lugs 38 extendedfrom the frame of the core of amagnet 39. c .f The arm 37 is pivotallymounted between the ears or lugs 38 in line with the pivot`35` recessesor openings 41 in line withther "chambers 11 of the mounting member inwhichthe supporting arms 42 and 43 of the `1novable contactors 31 and32, res ectivelyy' are positioned. The arms 43 have t eir c011- tactors32 secured to their outer, laterally directed e'nds 44 by bolts 45 andare plvotally mounted in the recesses 41 by pivot pins 46.

arranged vin axial alignment. The inner ends 47 of the arms 43 extendLbeyond their pivots 46 and normally engage projections .w48 extendedinto the recesses' 41 and are rofvided with aperatures 49 through w ich9 ofthe mounting member 6 is xoiset` or pass rods`50 carried bythemember33.

v The contactors 31 are secured to vthe upper i step ed toaiord thestated relative positions -of 't econtacts, .and that; this" offset of 5step vc d'fol'mation of the. divisioni .wall 9 resu ts in an overhangingledge above the contact 2Q.' This led e being formed Aof insulatingmaterialxa ords an effective -arc barrier to deiect the arc which; formsat the 9. contact' 20 upon disengagement of its cooperating movable.contactor, to beV later de scribed, away from the contact 25. In otherwords,'the intervenin Yportion of the division wall 9 between t econtacts 20,'and25 5 together with the walls f11 forms substanf tiallyan arc conlining chamber.

The stepped formation ofthe division wall '9' also provides a convenientspace for the pockets or chamberslO in which'th'e .resistance elements24 are received. In this .manner an ,exceptionally compact-.constructionis roduced.' f

20and 25 and positioned in the lowerv recesses or chambers 11 aremovable contactors 31 and 32which are carried by' an actuating -nlember'33 pivotally'mounted4 in any suitable copendin-g application Serial No.-295,693

led July'27, 1928,` and includes a supporting 'member 34 carrying apivotstud 35 at its erds ofthe arms 42 by screws 5 1, the arms beinmaintained inposition by the rods 50 yieldably urged into'engagementwiththe projections by expansile springs 55 mounted on .the medial portionsof the rods 50 and confined between the arms ,42l and 43'. l Flexibleribbon sconductors 56 having one end secured to the eontactors 31 by thescrews 51 andtheir other ends secured to the arms 43 byscrews .57,electrically connect the contactors 31 and'32, as will be readilyapparent. The specific construction of the switch .arms Vformsthesubject matter o'f my copendingapplication, Serial Number 349,130filed March 22, 1929.

p v r The lower portidnsof the arms 42 have y ooperating withthestationary Contactsterminalsl 58 secured thereto 'from whichV iconductors`59 lead tb terminals 60 fixed oncontacts 20 and 25 bridgesthe line conduc-i tors 15 and the terminal screws 61 As the switch isclosed by the energization izo o f the magnet 39, the member 33 moves4:0`

first' engage its contactors 32with the stationary contacts 25 thusconnecting themotor or other device with which the switch is used withthe line conductors through the resistance elements 24, .as a result,the voltpivot on the mounting rods 46, movingl their ends 47 towards thearms 42 and compressing the springs '35. This added pressure insures aperfect contact ,between the contactors l32 and contacts 25 and uponfurther closing movement of the member 33, the contactera 31 are engagedwith their sta-` tionary contacts whereupon thespring is still furthercompressed, theV arms 42 of the contactors 31 pivoting about theprojections l54, as illustrated in Figure 4.

In opening the switch, the contactors 31 and the contacts 2O are firstdisengaged and the current to the motor is reduced` due to the fact.thatI the resistances 24 are again incorporated in the circuit wherebythe voltage at the time' of the final opening of the switch isrelatively smaller than the line voltage.

two sets of contacts with the result that the arc incidental to openingat each set of con tacts is considerably minimized, and as hereinbeforebrought out, the arc formed at the lower contacts 20` is cooled by thepocket orv chamber formed by the sidewalls 11 with the overhangingportion of the division wall 9. The overhanging portion of the divisionwall 9 also serves to effectively' prevent yan arc at the contacts 20from` reaching up to the contacts 25.. y

The are incidental to the disengagement of the contactors 32 from thecontacts 25 are cooled or quenched by a cover member' 62.

The cover, member 62 is pivoted to the partitions 8, as at 63, closesthe pockets or chambersl 11 and thus totally encloses both thestationary and themovable contacts to insure maximum protectionagainstarcing and to reduce the possibility of creepage. As illustrated inFigure 2, the cover maybe formed with grooves 64v in which the edges ofthe partitions 3 are received to provide a tight t therebetween; the topface of the member 33 being likewise grooved, as at 65, in alignmentwith the partitions '8 so thatwhen the' switch is closed the recesses 41form unbroken continuations ofthe chambers 11.

From the lforegoing description, taken inconnection with the'accompanying drawings, it -will be readily .apparent to thoseskilled'in-"the art to whichl an invention of this Ycharacterappertains, 'that a switch of y In thismanner the load is dividedbetween the.

the character` described is provided with means for irstiapplying areduced voltage to a motor lor other device and-then connecti ing itdirectl with the fullfvoltage and in whlch the swltch, in opening,functions substantially asa circuit breaker stepping down the volta e sothat at the final opening of the switc it is relatively less than theline voltage.

It is also apparent that this invention greatly increases the capacityof switches of 'the character described without in any way increasingtheir overall size,l and that by this invention, oneY of t-he mosturgent-requirements of the industry isi-fulfilled, i. e. a switch ofincreased capacity with maximum compactness. v

W hat I claim as my invention is:

1. In an electric switch, a mounting mem` ber adapted to be connectedwith a support panel and having a compartment-divided into separated'chambers by a division wall, stationary contacts carried by thedivision wall and,Y disposed on one side thereof to be within onechamber, a resistance element disposed on the other Side of the divisionwall within the other" chamber and electricallybridging thestationarycontacts, and

contactors substantia'll within the firstmentioned chamber an movable toengagement with the stationary contacts.

2. In an electric switch including spaced stationary contacts and aplurality of co- 3. vIn an electric switch including Spacedi stationarycontacts and a plurality of cooperating movable contactors engageabletherewith, means for mounting the stationary cont-acts comprising amember of insulating material adapted for attachment to a support paneland having a stepped wall to provide portions offset ,one in advance ofthe other, means. for securing -one stationary Contact to each oifsetportion whereby their contact surfaces are one in advance of between theoffset portions provides an arel barrier between the stationary contactsand increases the creepage distance therebetween,

and means mounting they movable contactera e for Vdeflect- `the otherand the intervening wall portion y for'successive engagement with thestationf ary contacts, the arc barrier provided byf tionary contactsoffset one in advance ofthe the stepped `wall kleflecting an arc formedat the contact having its Contact surface innermost away from the othercontact.

4. In yan electric switch including spaced y 5 stationary contacts andcooperating movable contactors successively engageable there-4 with,means for mounting; the stationary contacts comprising a substantiallyintegral member of insulating material having 'con tact *supportingyportions ois'et one 'in adlVance Iof the other, with the interveningmounting member'. portionfforming aninsulating arc barrier to direct anarc drawn between one'stationary contact and its `coolp- 15 eratingmovable contacter away from other stationary contact.

5. In an electric switch including a plurality of stationary contactsand a plurality of cooperating movable contactors succes-v sivelyengageable therewith', a resistance element .bridging the stationarycontacts, and a member. of insulating material iecessed to receivetheresistance element and mounting the stationary contacts, said memberhaving its portions 4which carry the staother to facilitate thesuccessive engagement of the contactors with the contacts and to providean arc barrier between the stationary contacts, whereby an arcdrawn/between one of the contacts and its cooperating contactor isdeflected away from the other contact.

l6. In an electric switch including stationmovement about` a common axisand for successive engagement with the stationary contacts, the barrierafforded bythe ledge 1 between the contacts deilecting an arc formed atthe contact beneath the ledge away from the other contact.

7;'. In an electric, switch including stationary contactsand-movablecontactors successively engageable with. the stationarycontacts, means for mounting the stationary contacts comprising aanemberof insulating material adapted to be mounted as a -unit from a supportpanel and vhaving its-wall portions which carry the stationary contacts65 offset. one in advance of tlievotherwith an inary contacts, aresistance bridging the sta-- ing the movable contactors for rockingtex-mediate wall portion therebetween and at an abrupt angle fto one ofsaid .contact carf rying r,v vallportions to provide an insulatingbarrier between the stationary contacts.

v8. In an electric switch, a mounting I'nemnected by a Wall hav-ingportions offset with respect'to each other, sai-d oii'set portions beling' connected by an intermediate wall por .tion at an abrupt angle toeach of. said o'ifset wall portions, stationary contacts mounted on saidoiiset wall portions to be disposed' one in advanceof tli'eother 'withthe intermediate'wallportion overhangng-one of fthe stationary contactsto form an arc barrier lber adapted for. attachment to a support paneland having spaced lside walls conbetween the contacts to cooperatewiththe-` i spaced side wall/s `and form an arc confining chamber for saidcontact beneath the over. hanging wall portion and its cooperatingcontacter, and movable Vcontactors fmdunte between 'the side Walls ofsaidwmounting member and adapted tosuccessively engage the contacts.. v

9. In an electric switch, a mounting mem ber adapted for attachment.to-4 a supportv panel and having spaced side walls connected by awallhaving portions` offset with respect yto each other, said oiset portionsbeing connected by an intermediate wall portion at an abrupt angle toeach of said disposed one in advance of t e other with the intermediatewall pprtion ,overhanging one of the stationary .contacts to form anarcbarrier between the contacts,'movable contactors'mounted between theside. walls of said mounting member and adapted to suol cessively engagethe contacts, and a cover cooperating with the mounting member sidewalls and one of the Lo ilset Wall portions to define a chamber openonly at its bottom and in which.. the movable contactors are disposed.

410. In an electric switch, a panel, a' pluy"offset wall portions,stationary. contacts. lmounted on said offset wall. ortionsto be lio'rality of stationary contacts,'a resistance elei ment electricallybridging the stationary contacts, an insulating member om the panel tomount the stationaryv contacts and .re-

tiallyenclosed by said insulating member, and a plurality of movablecontactors successively engageable with the stationary conv1 15 cessedvto receive the resistance element" whereby the resistance elementissubstantacts to interpose the resistance element in acircuitvcontrolled bythe switch during closing and openingof the switch'.`

11.v In. an electric 'switch including stal 125 tionary'contacts aniimovable contactors successively engageable with the stationary contacts,means for mounting the stationary con-` tacts comprising amemberofinsulating ma I terial adaptedto be'mounted as aunitfrom a supportpanel vandhavmg its -wall portions.

tween the stationary contacts, said member ,f of insulating materialhaving a recess 1n'-V wardly of its oflset portions, and a resistanceimi-,57a

which carry the stationary contacts onset one in advance of the otherwith an intermediate wall portion therebetween and at an abrupt angle toone of said contact carrying wall portions to provide an insulatingbarrier beelement disposed in said recess electrically bridging thestationary contacts.

12. VIn an electric switch,` a panel, a plurality of vertically spacedfixed' contacts mounted'from the panel with their contact surfaces onein advance of the other withrespcct to the plane of the panel, anJluralit of movable contactors, 'one lengagea le wit -each fixedcontact, and means for movin the contactors' in unisontoward and' awayrom` the fixed contacts, thesofiset relation of the contact surfaces ofthe fixed contacts causing 'one of 'the contactors to engagesitsrespective contact first and to disengage its respective vrespect to theplane ofthe. panel, a plu-I rality of movable contactors, -one engage`able with each fixed contact, means for mov.

contact last. y 13.l In an electric switch, a panel, a plurality yofvertically spaced fixed contacts mounted from the panel with theircontact surfaces one in advance' of the other with ing-v the contactorsin-unison towarda and away 'from the fixed contacts, the offset/relationof the contact surfaces of the fixed an arc contacts and' agalnst whichanfarcffolcmed` contacts causing one rof thej'contactors to`l engageitsPrespective contact first and to disengae its respective contactlast, and arrier interposed between the. fixed at the innermost fixedcontact rebounds to be deflected yaway from the other fixed contact. i

14. An electric switch comprising a member of insulating materialhavinga .stepped wall to provide offset portions, one in advance ofthe otherand having a recess behind the steppedwall a stationarycpntac't mountedvon each o s'et portion I of the steppedwall so that theycontactsurfacejof one contact' is in advance of the contact surface of theother and the intervening por-v tion forms an arc barrier` therebetween,a resistance element'in therecess behincf the stepped wall andelectrically connecting" the stationar contacts, a -pair of electricallyconnecte contactors engageable with the stationary'contacta and meansmonnting the contactors forlv movement in unison toward vance of theother and having a recess inwardl-y of the stepped walla stationarycontact mounted on each offset portion of the step d wall to be dis osedone in advance of e other with the lntervening `wall portion forming anarc barrier between the stationary, contacts to deflect an arc formed atthe innermostcontact away from the other contact, a resistance elementin the said recess electrically bridging the stationary con- Vtacta, aterminal member valso extended into the recess andhaving directelectrical con-f nection with the innermost contact and electricalconnection with the advanced contact through the resistance element, apair of electrically connected contactors, movable in unisonttoward andaway from thecontacts and successivel engageable therewith by reason ofthe o set relation of the stationary contacts so that the advancedcontact is enga ed first and disengaged last, and a ltermina connectedwith -the contactorsv v whereby said terminal is electrically connectedwith the first mentioned terminal dur.-

ing, closing of the switch first through'the V resistance element andthen directly, and in opening the switch the resistance is interosed. l16. An electric switch comprising, a member of insulating materialhaving a stepped Aprovide offsetvv portions one in ad tioneof thecontacts causing one contactor .toyengage before the other andto disengae y after the other, sidefwise spaced walls su ics stantiallyperpendicular to the stepped `wall and vcooperating with the saidintervening wall portion o ,verlying one of thev contact surfaces toform an arc confining 'cham'- ber 'to minimize an arcdrawn between saidcontact. surface and its cooperating contacytor, and a cover coo eratingwith the stepped wall and the sid ns ewise s aced walls to form an arcconfining chain r for the other contact vand its contacten In testimony,whereof I 'have hereunto v afiined my signature. a l GUSTAV O. WILMS. A

and away from the stationary contacts `'thej onset' relation ofthecontact surfaces of the stationary conticts causing the advanced@Contact surface to be. engagedbefore the i' other and disengaged after15'.- -An electric switchcomprising a memt e other.A

ber of insulating materialhaving a stepped wallito provide offsetportions one ad-

